Free-chain planetary hoist



March 14, 1939. F. w. COFFING I FREE-CHAIN PLANETARY HOIST 3 Sheets-Sheet. 1

Filed Nov. 15, 1955 INVENTOR. F/mawc/r l4. ('flFF/NG. MW r $.4-

ATTORNEY5.

Patented Mar. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE FREE-CHAIN PLANETARY HOIST Fredrick W. Golfing, Danville, Ill. Application November 15, 1935, Serial No. 49,919

42 Claims.

general character illustrated in the prior Patents No. ,973,844, dated September 18, 1934, and No. 1,999,036, dated April 23, 1935, and is a continuation in part of the copending applications, Serial No. 755,259, filed November 30, 1934, now Patent No. 2,099,676 dated November 23, 1937, and Serial No. 16,365, filed April 15, 1935, now Patent No. 2,044,565, dated June 16, 1936.

The chief object of this invention is to embody in a free-chain hoist a planetary power system.

Another object of this invention is to improve the governor constructions. illustrated in the aforementioned applications and the invention is illustrated as applied to a lever operable construction, such as shown in the last mentioned copending application, and the latter is improved bya balanced arrangement thereof.

The chief feature of the invention consists in the formation of the hoist, whereby the foregoing objects are accomplished. r

Another feature of the invention consists in the planetary type free-chain release arrangement. 7

A still further feature of the invention consists in the improved cushion type anchorageof the load chain to the housing and the addition of a chain guard preventing anchorage interference with the chain and/or sprocket, and chain escapement from the sprocket.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims: 7

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a top planview of a hoist embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figs. 1 and 4 and in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a similar. view of the planetary arrangement, and is taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 4 and in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a central sectional view taken at right angles to Figs. 2 and 3 with the governor constructions and the power members removed.

Fig. 5 is a side view of one of the governor constructions.

Fig. 6 is a skeleton sectional viewof a modified form of the invention showing an auxiliary housing for the power discs and power lever returning springs.

Fig. '7 is a perspective view on a smaller scale of a modified form of lever returning spring guard, illustrated in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a central sectionalview of the bell swivel and hook structure.

Fig.9 is a transverse'section'taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 4 and in the direction of the arrows.

In the drawings Illa and I01) indicate complementary castings suitably secured together as at II. Each complementary casting upon its ex- 5 terior is provided with a circular flange I2, see Fig. 4, and the interior I3 thereof serves as a drum for shoe engagement. Each casting includes a central opening It in which is mounted an'anti-friction construction I5 with which is associated a shaft I6 having projecting ends I'I which extend .at opposite sides of the housing and therefrom. The shaft is shoulderedas at I'Ia and each adjacent part of the housing includes an anti-friction retainer flange Ma.

Mounted on each end ofthe shaft and suitably keyed thereto, is a power transmitting disc, see Fig. 5, which includes anannular flange I8a, see Figs. 1 and 5, that telescopically receives the annular flange I2. Projecting from the interior of the member I8 is a pair of diametrically positioned pins I9, see Fig. 5, or other suitable anchorages for the shoes 20 which are arcuate in form and may mount friction lining 2|, or the like, said shoes being arranged for operative engagement with the interior I3 of the flange I2, as set forth in the before mentioned prior applications. These application disclosures, however, are subject to gravity acting on one shoe to release same and upon the other shoe to engage the drum; hence, there results an unequal application.

The present invention seeks to insure simultaneous shoe movement and to a like degree and free the governor from gravity unbalancing. 35

Each shoe is pivotally connected at 22, see Fig.

5, to an arm 23 of a counterweight 24 pivoted at 25 to the member I8. The member I8 has an annular boss or shoulder 23 with a central opening 21 of reduced diameter therein. The annular 40 boss or shoulder 26 is slotted as at 28 for key 29 for connection to the shaft I6. The end I? of the shaft I6 nests in this annular boss, and the member I8 is secured against axial separation relative thereto by the screw 30 and washer I42- see Fig. 1the ends of the shaft being drilled and tapped for screw reception-see Fig. 4.

Rotatably mounted on the annular boss 26 is an annular collar 3I which is provided with two lugs 32 in alignment and oppositely directed. Each lug supports a projecting pin or guide member 33-and the latter are slidable in the apertures 34 formed in ears 35 on each of the weights 24. Each shoe also is provided with cushion type stop, or rubber bumper 36 adapted to engage the annular collar 3|; thus, limiting the inward or radial movement of the weights toward each other and eliminating chatter. It has been found that a single weak spring construction is sufiicient to secure shoe release movement of the weights since the weights in this instance are interconnected through the guide pins and annular collar. A duplicate spring construction, however, may be provided, if, as and when desired.

In Fig. the weight 25 is shown apertured as at 31 and a weight returning spring 38 positioned in the aperture is anchored at 39 to a post rigid with the member l8. The opposite end is suitably secured to the member 24a carried by the apertured weight. To secure a balanced construction, the other counterweight is similarly apertured as at 3?. To secure rigidity of mounting, if desired, the posts 19 and 25 may be connected by a tie member 25a.

This governor construction per se is capable of embodiment in the hoists illustrated and described in either of the copending applications and may 'be substitutedtherefor and as illustrated therein, the anchorage 39 may be of the adjustable character for adjusting spring tension. The spring shown may also serveias a load spring, since its force and efiect must be overcome by the weights before shoe engagement occurs.

While the first mentioned copending application discloses a chain operable Wheel as a source of power, the second application discloses a lever arm source of power and herein the invention is further illustrated'aso-f the latter type.

The last mentioned application shows a tandem positioning immediately adjacent each other of the two levers. This application discloses the spaced positioning 'orbalancedpositioningoi the two levers. These levers herein are indicated by the numerals!) and are rotatably supported ona hub '4l-see Fig. '1-which extends from plate i8 oppositely :from the annular portion 26. The end of the hub bears against a washer I42 retained by screw 30. The lever arm at its free end is provided with a tiltable extension "42 pivotally connected at 43 therewith and portion thereof serves as a friction'g'ripping power applying shoe, see Fig. 2 which illustrates this cooperative relation which is more fully illustrated in Fig. 5 of the last mentioned copending application.

This relationship permits, in the clockwise stroke of lever arm 40-42, shoe 44 to engage initially the adjacent'drum or wheel periphery IM and continuedmovement causes-drum rotation. Upon release from restraint imposed by cable 9, the constraint imposed by a returning and releasing spring'serves initially to release shoe'44 from surface 'I8a and then serves to return arm it-64 to the initial starting position without return of the drum.

It is to be understood that, if desired, the tiltable extension 42 may beer the adjustably extensible type. Each lever construction is tiltable as an entirety by an individual cable 9 or by a cable having its opposite ends connected to the free ends of the lever constructions 42. The operator by gripping the same and alternately pulling down with each hand, alternately rocks each lever arm for powerapplication, the power being applied in the same direction, that is, for load elevation, andthereby the power, while intermittently applied to'each lever arm constructicn,'is substantially continuously applied to the shaft l3although'intermittently from opposite ends. a

:see Fig. 2 and illustrated in greater detail in Fig. 5 in application Serial No. 16,365. The lever returning spring I2!) is suitably associated therewith and adjustably associated, if desired, and

is illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and in greater detail in said application and said spring is anchored to the adjacent complementary casting member as at I I9.

Each of the before mentioned applications includes a brake drum construction and a brake band operatively associated therewith. Herein, see Fig. 2, 45 indicates the drum construction rotatably mounted on the shaft [6, see Fig. 4, within the housing and the drum is partially encircledby the band provided with suitablelining 41, if, as and when desired. The casting is provided with lugs 48 that project inwardlyand if desired, adjustable s'tops 49 may be associated therewith for limiting the release position of the brake band.

One end of the brake band is anchored as at 59-see Figs. 2 and 3. The other end of the band is recessed as at*5l and associated therewith is a coil spring 52, the latter being anchored as its opposite end by an adjustable type anchorage including the threaded member 53 thatextends through slot '54 in 'the casting or housing and mounts washer 55 and nut 56 on the'exposed end of the member 53. Enveloping the coil :spring 52. is a sleeve '51 which,'at its upper edge, contacts the free end 58 of the band. The lower end of the tube 51 is operatively engaged by an arm 59 of thellever 60 pivotally supported within the housing as at 5|. To adjust this operative connection, there is provided the threaded member and access thereto is had through the iopeningiiE. Thelowerend of tube 51 is serrated as -at 51a and the upper end of screw T62 is tapered or 'wedge shaped 'so that rotation of the tube and/or the screw is prevented. The opposite end of the arm 60 has pivotally connected to it as at M-the rod 65 terminating in the eye 66 that receives a cord or cable 66a which is the control cable for load lowering "and returnfr'ee-chain operation, as set forth in both of the prior copending applications. The rod65 extends -through the opening 61 in the casting.

Keyed to the shaft iii-see Figs. '2 and 4-is a ratchet wheel 68 having teeth 69 and nested within the overhanging portion of the drum construction 45.

Pivotally mountedsee Fig. 2on the recessed face of the drum, are a plurality ofpairs ofratchet engaging dogs'lZ-guidingly retained as at 13a and pivoted as at 13 and operatively constrained-for ratchet engagement by the spring construction 74, or the like, anchored-to the drum. :Each pair of dogs and herein two pairs are illustratednare so positioned about the drum-such th'at-'-.see'Fig. 2one-pair of diametrical dogs engages the roots of a pair of ratchet teethp-while an intermediate pair of diametrical dogs is in ratchet engagement but not in root association therewith.

Herein, since but .one pair-of intermediate dogs is illustrated, this intermediate-pair is so positioned that it engages the ratchet teethapproximately half way between the root and crestthereof so that ratchet root engagement is effected by the dogs at ratchet half tooth distance and to this exent, as well as in the employment of aplurality of ratchet engaging dogs, the present application illustrates an improvement upon the copending applications and said improvement may beine corporated in either of the inventions disclosed in a said copending applications without incorporating theother features of-the present disclosure.

It will be understood that as set ,forthin the copending applications, when the brake band 41- see Figs. 2 and 4-is released, the brake drum 45 is free to rotate with the ratchet 68, the shaft I6, the sun gear I9 and thetwo members BI and such rotation, when permitted, is restrained beyond a predetermined rate by the governor constructions, see Fig. 5, before mentioned, and in a similar manner as that set forth in the copending applications. When the lever arm 60 is not pulled downwardly (through release ofcable 66a), the drum I1 is non-rotatably associated with the housing IOb through the pawl construction. .9I. Therefore, if power is not being applied to the shaft I1 for elevation of the load, the load is held by the ratchet dogs 12 carried by the brake drum 45, as well by pawl 9 I. hereinafter to be described.

Reference will now be hadtothe planetary transmission embodiment of the invention. This is best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 and therein positioned oppositely relative to'the drum45 is an internal ring gear I6 suitably and rigidly secured to a disc and drum [1 and 'IIa rotatably supported as at 18 relative to the shaft I 6. A sun gear I9 has an annular shoulder I which rotatably supports said disc. and drum, there being interposed therebetween the bushing'IB. The opposite face of the disc portion 11 is provided with a plurality of arcuately spaced ratchettooth type recesses 8|] and herein four are illustrated,

although more may be provided if desired. The purpose thereof and the associated mechanism will be set forth more fully hereinafter. I

Meshing with the ring gear is a plurality of planetary pinion gears BI. These in turn mesh with the sun gear I9. Hereinfor simplicity but two are illustrated although more may be utilized if desired. r

Rotatably supported-on shaft I6 is the load chain engaging sprocket 82,- the numeral 83 indicating a bearing therebetween. The sprocket has oppositely directed hub extensions 84 and 85, the latter being rigidly secured to a disc 86 that supports the pins 81. which pivotally support the planetary pinions BI, Thus power transmitted to shaft I6 from the lever arm or like construction (or the wheel and chain modification instead of the lever arm construction or a multiplefo-rm thereof) supplies the rotational power which is applied to the sungear I9 byrzmeans of the key connection 88, or the like. Power tothe planetary pinions 8| is applied to the chain engaging sprocket 82 bythe disc 86; .All the advantage of a planetary power transmission systemare obtained in this form of the invention.

Reference will now be had more particularly to Fig. 3, wherein there is pivotallysupported, on the pivot 90 rigid with the housing,a-ring gear locking dog or pawl 9| having the recess engaging portion 92. The pow] 9I-see:-Fig.- 3'-is recessed at 9Ia and aspi ing 92aconstantly urges the pawl 9| intodisc engagement.

Thisd'og prevents complete rotation of the ring gearin one and the load elevating direction because thepportion 93 of the pawl constitutes a stop engaging the. housing when the ring gear endeavors to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. Rotation in this direction, however, is permitted when the dog is retracted.

When the rod 65 is pulled down by the cable 66a to tilt lever 69 to release the brake band from the brake drum for load lowering, the spring 94 herein shown connected to the pivotal connection. 6 4v at one end and-connected as. at 95 to the dog, insures retraction of the dog from the ratchet recess 80 in the disc and drum TI and the entire planetary system, sprocket gear and governor constructionor constructions, may rotate in the load lowering direction, provided there is no load on the chain. However, due to the friction between gears, the governor construction usually doesnot rotate after pawl 9| is released from drum H for free-chain movement.

Due to the draft in recess 80 against pawl 9|,

clockwise to clear pawl 9| relative to recess 88 and then permit spring 94 to withdraw the pawl.

When pawl BI is withdrawn from the recess, and this, as stated, ocours'only when lever 69 is tilted by rod 65 and there is no load on the chain, the drum TI is free to rotate in either direction. Then if the chain be pulled in either direction (this being free-chain movement). only the sprocket 92, disc 86, planetary pinions BI and drum I! with ring gear .16 rotate. In other words, sun gear 79, shaft I6, discs'l8, ratchet 68 and brake drum 45 do not rotate; This eliminates the friction of the gearing as a load against free-chain movement.

When the tension on the cable fifia is released, the brake band 41 engages the brake drum 45 and the dog or pawl'9I may bear on the peripheral surface of the disc and drum 11, unless the dog 9I should happen to register with one of the recesses 80. If it bears on the'peripheral surface, then in the counterclockwise rotation, if any, the disc and drum I1 will rotate until one of the recesses 89 registers with the pawl 9| and picks up the pawl which looks the same to the housing and prevents further rotation of disc and drum".

.For elevation of the load, the sprocket 82, the discs I8, the shaft I 6 and the sun gear "I9 rotate clockwise. To secure such operation, the ring gear I6 and disc and drum 71 must be held stationary which is obtained by pawl 9I locking the disc and drum TI to the housing IIIa.

In the several figures, the housing is shown provided at its upper end with an opening 96 Which is adapted to receive a. swivel hook or similar hoist support. Immediately therebeneath and the lever, as at I04, is connected to one end of the spring I05, connected at its oppositeend to acasing anchorage I06. This may be-of adjustable character for adjusting spring tension. When the chain 98 is fully extended, the load being dropped or lowered, as illustrated in Fig. 2, continued pulling on the chain in the load lowering direction tilts the lever IOII-02 clockwise in opposition to spring I05. to extend the latter, thus cushioning the pull on the chain anchorage I00 at the end of the load lowering movement of the chain 98. r

'As shown in Fig. 2, the casing or housing is apertured as at 01 and suitably mounted in said aperture is a member I08.

In Fig. 2 there is illustrated a lever stop in the form of a bracket I09 suitably secured to the curved portion IEBa-of each housing. The laterally offset portion H0 of bracket I09 serves as a stop for lever 40. Portion I I0 is apertured at H9 to anchor one end of the lever arm returning spring I20, the other end of which is suitably and adjustahly secured as at Ilfia to an extension II8 of the lever 4il--see Figs. 1 and 2.

Spring I20, see Fig. 2, associated with the lever ll: automatically returns it to its elevated and initial position, and a stop I40 on the housing is provided to limit the return movement of the lever 40 and the initial position thereof.

Portion I Ii -see Fig. 2-upon member H3 also serves as a chain shedder and spacer preventing interference between the runs of the chain when there is slack in the chain between the sprocket and anchorage I00.

Member -I 08 has a lateral offset portion I I I-see Fig. 2-- within the casing .and projecting therefrom is the portion I I2 which pivotally supports the chain'cushioning .anchoringlever I02. Portion H2 is extended as at H3 and is centrally apertured as at II4-see Fig. 4and the hub 34 of the chain sprocket 82 is rotatably mounted therein. A relatively arcuate flange .6 extends laterally from the portion I I3 and .formsa chain guard and thus prevents the chain from doubling within the housing. It-see Fig. 2also.serves as a stop for chain anchorage lever arm I02 and prevents interference between chain 98 and spring m5. Guard H6 also prevents escapement of the chain 98 from sprocket engagement.

In Figs. 2 and 6, the load chain 98 is shown .terminating at the load end in a bell shapedswivel and hook, I50 indicating thesplit bell portionssee Fig. 8and I5I the eye portion to which the last link I52 of the chain is secured as .at I53. The bell portion has flange I54 thereon serving as a stop and the retaining band I55 secures the parts together .toinsure retention of hook I56 swivelly supported by thrust bearing I5], the hook having the head portion I58.

As shown in Fig. 4, slightly below the .level of disc and drum 1'! and ring gear 'I6see Fig. 6 for the necessity for sufiicient clearance 'to provide for lubrication retention-the housing I0a, l'0b is provided with an apertured stop, see Fig. 9, the aperture thereof being elongated to conform to the elongatedopening 91. The stop is indicated by I70 and may be formed integral with the castings, welded thereto or otherwise rigidly secured thereto. The elongated portion thereof is apertured at Ill and is flared as at In to accommodate the upper portion of the bell swivel. shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the entire Lbell portionis nestable within housing I0a I'0b and the hook I56 has only its shank-nested while the-hook is exposed, Stop I10 ilimits ifuifthel upward chain movement when the bell swivel engages this stop.

In Fig. 6, the skeletonized section illustrates a substantially enclosed form of the invention, although only one side thereof is illustrated. In said figure, 2I0 indicates the housing, 2| 2 the governor drum, the annular flange on the powerplate "203 secured thereto by cap screws, or the like, 204.

Housing '2-00 includes a recess 205 which terminates'in end walls 206-and'201. Wall 206 serves as the-upperstop'forlimiting the initial and normal upper position of lever 240 while wall 201 1 limits the 'lower position thereof. In this form of the invention, the auxiliary housing 200 and the plate 203 encloses the lever return spring omitted in Fig. 6 for clearness. Housing 200 includes a lug 208 apertured-at 219 to form an anchorage for the lever returning spring.

In thisform of the invention, the auxiliary housing eliminates the upper stop I40see Fig. 1the lower stop 'I I0 and its spring anchorage I19 shown in the first and unenclosed or nonprotected form of the invention.

In this form of the invention, see Fig. 6, there is also disclosed disc 21! which has an annular projection 211a "projecting slightly beyond ring gear 216 and the latter is nested and press fitted therein. The projecting portion includes groove 219124 and disc 281 is shouldered at 287a. Annular plate 2-81!) is sprung into groove 219i) and rides free-in the shouldered portion 281a of disc 2 01. Thus, the planetary transmission is relatively enclosed and the gears may be packed with heavy lubricant which is prevented by this enclosed arrangement from escapement to the sprocket, chain and brake structure.

"I-o permit repacki-ng of the construction, the plate portion 2100 is apertured as at 2I0d which aperture is slightly larger than the threaded aperture 2112) in the drum disc 21'! and said threaded aperture receives a screw plug Z'I'Ic. The power disc 218 in juxtaposition thereto, is illustrated in Fig. 6 "by dotted lines. Only a portion thereof is shown. Said disc has the lever gripped I surface 2 18a. The disc proper is apertured as at 2 I81) and said aperture is larger in diameter than aperture 2 "Id, which, in turn, preferably is larger in diameter than aperture 211d. A screw plug 2180 is threaded in the threaded aperture 2I8b of the disc-218 and said aperture is so positioned relative to the mounting of the governor shoe that it can register with the aforesaid apertures withoutinterference from the shoes.

When repa cking is desired or necessary, plug 2I8c is removed and the aperture 2| 8?) aligned with aperture "2 I0d and'then the screw plug 2111) is positioned in alignment with said apertures and then removed. The usual grease supplying mechanism may then be applied to the registering apertures to supply any deficiency. The aperture 2I0d is shown illustrated at the top of the s'hoist t-housing. In actual practice, however, it preferably would be positioned diametrically opposite, to wit, near the lowest point so that the old grease could readily be removed'by flushing, land the like, and then the new grease substituted whenever it is not desired to :make a mere addition :or supply make-up to the lubricant :then in use.

cent flange 3I8a/of disc M8 and is secured to housing 3H3 by a screw 30l through the bracket, constituting the lower stop (see same at H in Fig. 2). J i

If desired, this form of the invention may include the planetary system lubrication retention construction,-illustrated in Fig. 6.

Each of the modifications shown in Figs.'6 and 7 may also include the load hook bell swivel and stop structure and the protective interior stop or guard as illustrated in Figs. land 6.

1 While the invention has been described in great detail in the foregoing specification relative to the improvements over the two before mentioned applications, and while it has been pointed out that certain of these improvements may be associated in a hoist of the general character illustrated and described in the copending applications, as well as those illustrated and described in the prior patents before mentioned, and whereas several modifications of the present disclosure have been mentioned herein, it is to be understood that such detail description is to be considered illustrative and not restrictive in character and these modifications, whether utilized ind vidually or collectively or as substitutions, and all other modifications thereof which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, are all considered to be within the broad scope of this invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a chain hoist, the combination with a housing, a load chain engaging gear, an elevating shaft therefor rotatable in the housing and having ends projecting therefrom, and brake r -cans operatively associated with the load gear permitting load lowering, of rotatable members carried by the housing projecting ends of the shaftand individual governor means associated with each member regulating the load lowering 1 movement of the gear.

2. A device as defined by claim 1, characterized by the addition of a lever arm adjacent each rotatable member, a one-way operable locking connecti n therebetween for rotating the adjacent meinberwhen the arm is rocked in one direction,

means normally constraining the arm toward m vement in the opposite direction, said one- 7 way connection being ineffective for locking in said opposite direction. I 3 A device as defined by claim 1, characterized y the addition of a lever arm adjacent each rotatable member, a one-way operable locking connection therebetween for rotating the ad acent member when the arm is rocked in one direction, means normally constraining the arms toward movement in the opposite direction, said one-way connection being ineffective for locking in said opposite direction, and a planetary transmission system interposed between said shaft and load chain gear. 4. In a chain'hoist, the combination with a housing, a load chain engaging gear, an elevatingshaft for the gear rotatable in the housing, and brake means operatively associated with the gear permitting load lowering, 'of a rotatable member carried by the housing projecting end of the shaft, governor means associated with said member for regulating the load lowering movement, and a planetary transmission system between said shaft and load chain gear.

5. In a chain hoist, the combination with a load chain engaging gear, means for rotating the gear for chain movement, a ratchet and pawl structure for sustaining the load when said means is not elevating, a brake structure operatively associated with the ratchet and pawl structure for insuring ratcheting action in load elevation, load sustainment when not elevating and releasably associated therewith for load lowering, and a control memberfor the brake structure, .of a rotatable power member, and a planetary transmission system, between the power member and the gear.

6. In a chain hoist, the combination with a load chain engaging'gear, means for rotating the gear for chain movement, a ratchet and pawl structure for sustaining the load when said means is not elevating, a brake structure operatively associated with the ratchet and pawl structure for insuring ratcheting action in load elevation,

load sustainment when not elevating and releasably associated therewith for load lowering, and a control member forthe brake structure, of a tube, a coiled spring therein, said brake structure including a band having one end connected to said spring, the latter having a relatively permanent anchorage for its opposite end, and a lever connected to the control member and having one end operatively associated with one end of the tube, said band having a tube bearing portion adjacent the spring connection thereto and operatively engageable by the opposite end of the tube upon member operation.

7. In a chain hoist, the combination with a load chain engaging gear, means for rotating the gear for chain movement, a ratchet and pawl structure for sustaining the load when said means is not elevating, a brake structure operatively associated with the ratchet and pawl structure for insuring ratcheting action in load elevation, load sustainment when not elevating and releasably associated therewith for load lowering, and a control member for the brake structure, of a second ratchet and pawl structure for sustaining the load when said means is not elevating, and an operative connection between the latter and the control member for disassociating the ratchet and pawl connection of the second structure upon brake structure release.

8. In a chain hoist, the combination with a load chain engaging gear, means for rotating the gear for chain movement, a ratchet and pawl structure for sustaining the load when said means is not elevating, a brake structure operatively associated with the ratchet and pawl structure for insuring ratcheting action'in load elevation,

load sustainment when not elevating and releasably associated therewith for load lowering, and a control member for the brake structure, of a rotatable power member, a planetary transmission system between the member and the gear,

a second ratchet and pawl structure for sustaining the load when said means is not elevating,

and an operative connection between the latter and the control member for disassociating the ratchet and pawl connection of the second struc ture upon brake structure release.

9. In a chain hoist, the combination with a load chain engaging gear, means for rotating the gear for chain movement, a ratchet and pawl structure for sustaining the load when said means is not elevating, a brake structure operatively associated with the ratchet and pawl structure for insuring ratcheting action in load elevation, load sustainment when not elevating and releasably associated therewith for load lowering, and a control member for the brake structure, of a second ratchet and pawl structure for sustaining the load when said means is not elevating, an operative connection between'the latter and the control member for disassociating the ratchet and pawl connection of the second structure upon brake structure release, a tube, a coiled spring therein, said brake structure including a band having one end connected to said spring, the latter having a relatively permanent anchorage for its opposite end, and a lever connected to the control member and having one end operatively associated with one end of the tube, said band having a tube bearing portion adjacent the spring connection thereto and operatively engageable by the opposite end of the tube upon member 'operation.

10. In a hoist, the combination with arotatable shaft, a housing from which the shaft projects, a drum rigid with the housing and a pair'of diametrically arranged substantially identical shoes for drum engagement, of a member rotatable by the shaft and to which opposite ends of the shoes are secured, substantially identical weighted lever arms symmetrically and pivotally supported by the member and symmetrically connected to the other ends of the shoes, means operatively and symmetrically connecting said arms together for simultaneous and like movement of the arms irrespective of gravitation, and spring means for opposing lever movement caused by centrifugal action of said weighted levers.

11. In a hoist, the combination with a load chain gear, a rotatable member for rotating same, and a'brake construction, one portion thereof being normally relatively stationary and relative to which the member is rotary, the other portion being manually movable for first portion release, of ratchet and pawl means operatively interposed between the brake construction and gear permitting gear rotation for load elevation, gear retension for sustaining the load, and upon manual movement permitting controlled gear rotation for load lowering by said brake structure, said ratchet and pawl means including a plurality of pairs of arcuately spaced -dogs,'the spacing between dogs of different pairs being unequal whereby when one pair of dogs has ratchet tooth root engagement, another pair will have ratchet engagement other than tooth root engagement.

12. In a hoist, the combination with a load chain engaging gear, a shaft for'rotating same, manually controlled means for load sustainment when loa-d elevation is not desired and permitting load lowering subject to the manual control, and

a chain elevating shaft, of a member included within the housing and relatively rigidly mounted therein, said member having an arcuate chain guard surface adjacent to and partially surrounding but spaced from the chain gear, an arm pivotally supported in juxtaposition to the guard surface and eccentric of the chain gear axis and connected at one end to the chain, and yielding means connected at one end to the housing and at the opposite end to the other end to said arm.

14. In a chain hoist, the combination with a housing,'a load chain, a chain engaging gear, and

a chain elevating shaft, of a member included within the housing and relatively rigidly mounted therein, said member having an arcuate chain guard surface adjacent to and partially surrounding but spaced from the chain gear and a portion parallel to a plane transverse to the gear axis and having an annular bearing coaxial with the chain gear.

15. In a chain hoist, the combination with a housing, a load chain, a chain engaging gear, and a chainelevating shaft, of a member included within the housing and relatively rigidly mounted therein, said member having an arcuate chain guard surface adjacent to and partially surrounding but spaced from the chain gear, an arm pivotally supported in juxtaposition to the guard surface and eccentric of the chain gear axis and connected at one end to the chain, and yielding means connected at one end to the housing and at the opposite end tothe other end to said arm, said member having an annular bearing coaxial with the chain gear.

16. Ina chain hoist, the combination with a housing, a load chain, a chain engaging gear, and a chain elevating shaft, of a member included therein, said member having an arcuate chain guardsurface adjacent to and partially surrounding but spaced from the chain gear, said member having an annular bearing coaxial with the shaft and operatively supported thereby.

1'7. In a chain hoist, the combination with a housing, a load" chain, a'chain engaging gear, and a chain elevating shaft, of a member included within the housing and relatively rigidly mounted therein, said member having an arcuate chain guard surface adjacent to and partially surrounding but spaced from the chain gear, an arm pivotally supported in juxtaposition to the guard surface and eccentric of the chain gear axis and connected at one end to the chain, and yielding meansconnected at one end to the housing and at the opposite end to the other end to said arm; said member having an annular bearing coaxial with the shaft and operatively supported thereby.

18. In a chain hoist, the combination with a housing, a load chain, a chain engaging gear, and a chain elevating shaft, of a member included within the housing. and relatively rigidly mounted therein, said member having an arcuate chain guard surface adjacent to and partially surrounding but spaced from the chain gear, said member having an annular bearing, said gear having a hub portion seatable therein, said shaft rotatably supporting said chain gear, and a planetary system operatively connected to said gear and shaft for rotation of the former by the latter. a

19. In a chain hoist, the combination with a housing, a load chain, a chain engaging gear, and a chain elevating shaft, of a member included within the housing and relatively rigidly mounted therein, said member having an arcuate chain guard surface adjacent to and. partially surrounding but spaced from the chain gear, an arm pivotally'supported in juxtaposition to the guard surface and eccentric of the chain gear axis and connected at one end to the chain, yielding means connected at one end to the housing and at the opposite end to the other end to said arm, said member having an annular bearing, said gear having a hub portion seatable therein, said shaft rotatably supporting said chain gear, and

' a planetary system operatively connected to said gear and shaft for rotation of the former by the latter. r

20. In a free chain hoist, the'combination of a planetary power system, means preventing reverse rotation thereof, a load gear, power means I for the system, a brake structure for controlling load lowering movement of the gear, and manually operable means controlling the brake structure and the reverse rotation preventing means to secure free chain action in the load lowering direction. a

21. In a chain hoist, the combination with a housing, a load chain engaging gear, an elevat 22. In a chain hoist, the combination with a 7 housing, a load chain engaging gear, an elevating shaft therefor rotatable in the housing and having an end projecting from the same, of a rotatable member carried by the exposed end of the shaft, a pivotal support for a lever arm, a lever arm oscillatable relative to said member, a one-way driving connection therebetween, means constraining said lever arm toward initial position, and guard means for the last mentioned means and arranged to determine the initial and final positions of the lever arm.

23. In a chain hoist, the combination, with a housing, a load chain engaging gear, an elevating shaft therefor rotatable in the housing and having an end projecting from the same, of a rotatable member carried by the exposed end of the shaft,. governor means'associated with the member for regulating load lowering movement, a pivotal support for a lever arm, a lever arm oscillatable relative to said member, a one-way driving connection therebetween, means constraining said lever arm toward initial position, and guard means for the last mentioned constraining meansr 24. In a chain hoist,'the combination with a housing, a load chain engaging gear, an elevating shaft therefor rotatable in the housing and having an end projecting from the same, of a rotatable member carried by the exposed end of the shaft, governor means associated with the memher for regulating load lowering movement, a pivotal support for a lever arm, a lever arm oscillatable relative to said member, a one-way driving connection.therebetween, means constraining said lever arm toward initial position, and guard'means for the last mentioned constraining means and arranged to determine the initial and final positions of the lever arm.

25. In a chain hoist, the'combination with a load chain engaging gear, a planetary transmission for rotating same, said transmission including planetary pinions, a revoluble support therefor,*a' ring gear meshing with the pinion, and a sun gear meshing with the pinion gears, and a transmission'rotating shaft, of a support for the ring gear and arranged as closure for one end of the transmission, and including an annular projection nesting the ring gear therein and including a recessed-coaxial portion, said support including a recessed coaxial portion, and an annular sealing washer rigidly mounted in one recess and nestable in the other for transmission lubricant retention without interference with the relative rotation of the support and ring gear.

26. A device as defined by claim 4, characterized by the brake means being positioned adjacent oneend of the shaft, the load chain gear intermediate the ends and brake means and transmission system for balancing, the latter being positioned adjacent the other end of the shaft, said shaft projecting from the housing at opposite ends, and by the addition of an additional rotatable member upon the other projecting end of the shaft, and governor means for the second rotatable member, said governor means and rotatable members being relatively balanced. 2'7. A device as defined by claim 25, characterized by the addition of a housing adjacent the transmission, said housing including an'aperture and said ring gear support including an aperture, said apertures being arranged for registration in one relative position, and the addition of closure means in the latter aperture and removable I through the former aperturefor lubricant replenishment. v

28. A device as defined by claim 25, characterized by the addition of a housing adjacent the transmission, said housing including an aperture and said ring gear support including an aperture, said apertures being arranged for registration in one relative position, and the addition of closure means 'in the latter aperture and removable through the former aperture for lubricant replenishment, and by the further addition of a power transmitting disc having an aperture therein, and closure means for said last mentioned aperture, the latter aperture being adapted for registration in one position with the other two registrable apertures for lubricant replenishment. I V

29. A device as defined by claim 4, characterized by the brake means being positioned'adjacent one end of the shaft, the transmission system being positioned "adjacent the other end of the shaft, and the load chain gear being positioned intermediate the shaft ends and between the brake means and the transmission system for hoist balancing purposes, and by the addition of a substantially centrally positioned housing sup port.

30. In a chain hoist including a housing arrangement, a load chain depending therefrom, chain moving means within the housing including a power shaft having'an exposed end, a control mechanism for the chain moving means and within the housing including a control member projecting therefrom for manual operation, a governor structure operatively interposed between the shaft and housing, a planetary system interposed between the shaft and housing, a power wheel on the exposed end of the shaft, and lever means operatively associated with the power wheel for manually rotating the shaft in a load elevating direction.

31. In a chain hoist including a housing arrangement, a load chain depending therefrom, chain moving means within the housing including a power shaft having an exposed end, a control mechanism for the chain moving means and within the housing including a control member' projecting therefrom for manual operation, a governor structure operatively interposed between the shaft and housing, a planetary system interposed between the shaft and housing, a power wheel on the exposed end of the shaft, and means operatively associated with the power wheel for manually rotating the shaft in a load elevating direction.

32. In a chain hoist, the combination with a housing, a load chain engaging gear, an elevating shaft for the gear rotatable in the housing, and brake means operatively associated with the gear permitting load lowering, of a rotatable member carried by the housing projecting end of the shaft, governor means associated with said shaft and housing for regulating load lowering movement, and a planetary transmission system between said shaft and load chain. gear.

33. A device as defined by claim 10, characterized by the addition of a brake structure for holding the load stationary against lowering and releasable for load lowering.

34.. A device as defined by claim 10, characterized by the addition of a planetary transmission operatively associated with the rotatable shaft.

35. A device as defined by claim 10, characterized by the addition of a brake structure for holding the load stationary against lowering and releasable for load lowering, and a planetary transmission operatively associated with the rotatable shaft. 7

36. In a chain hoist, the combination with a load chain engaging gear, a planetary transmission for rotating same, said transmission including planetary pinions, a revolvable support therefor, a ring gear meshing with the pinions, and a sun gear meshing with the pinions, a transmission rotating shaft, of a support for the ring gear and arranged as a closure for. one end of the transmission and including an annular projection nesting the ring gear therein and including a recessed coaxial portion, and an annular sealing washer rigidly mounted in the recess for transmission lubricant retention without interference With the relative rotation of the support and ring gear.

37. A device as defined by claim 36, characterized by the addition of a brake structure, a oneway driving connection between the same and the shaft for load suspension when the shaft is not elevating, and means releasably associated with the brake structure for load lowering.

38. A device as defined by claim 36, characterized by the addition of governor means associated with said shaft and arranged to restrict the rate of load lowering.

39. A device as defined by claim 36, characterized by the addition of a brake structure, a oneway driving connection between the same and the shaft for load suspension when the shaft is not elevating, means releasably associated with the brake structure for load lowering, and governor means associated with said shaft and arranged to restrict the rate of load lowering, and when the brake structure is released.

l0. In a chain hoist, the combination with a load chain engaging gear, means for rotating the gear for chain movement, a ratchet and pawl structure for sustaining the load when said means is not elevating, a brake structure operatively associated with'the ratchet and pawl structure for insuringratcheting action in load elevation, load sustainment when not elevating, and releasably associated therewith for load lowering, and a control member for the brake structure, of a tube, a coil spring therein, said brake structure including a band having one end connected to said spring, the latter having a relatively permanent anchorage for its opposite end, and lever means at one end connected to the control member and having the other end operatively associated with the tube for tube movement, said band having a tubebearing portion. adjacent the spring connection. to the band and operatively engageable by thetube upon member operation through said lever means.

41. In a chain hoist, the combination with a load chain engaginggear, ,means' for rotating the gear for chain movement, a pawl and ratchet structure for sustaining the load when said means is not elevating, a brake structure operatively associated with the ratchet'and pawl structure forinsuring ratcheting action in load elevation, loadsustainment-when not elevating and releaseably associated therewith for load lowering, and a control member for the brake structure, of a second ratchet and pawl structure for sustaining the load when said means is not elevating and operatively connected between the latter and the control member for disassociating the ratchet and pawl connection of the second structure upon brake release; a tube, a coil spring therein, said brake structure including a band having one end connected to said spring, the latter having a relatively permanent anchorage for its opposite end, and lever means connected at one end to the control member and having the other end operative associated with the tube for tube movement, said band having a tube bearing portion adjacent the spring connection to the band and operatively engageable by the tube upon member operation through said lever means.

42. In a hoist, the combination with a load chain gear, a rotatable member for rotating same, and a brake construction, one portion thereof being normally relatively stationary and relative to which the member is rotary, the other portion being manually movable for first portion release, of ratchet and pawl means operatively interposed between" the brake construction and gear, permitting gear rotation for load elevation, gear retentionfor sustaining the load, and upon manual movement permitting controlled gear rotation for load lowering, and a planetary transmission operatively interposed between said load gear and member and through which rotary power is applied to the load gear from the rotatable member for load elevation, such inter-positioning being in dependent of the brake construction connection to the load gear, said ratchet and pawl means including a plurality of pairs of arcuately spaced dogs, the spacing between dogs of different pairs being unequal, whereby when one pair of dogs has ratchet tooth engagement, another pair will have ratchet engagement other than tooth root engagement.

' FREDRICK W. COFFING. 

